STUDY REVEALS HEAVY NCD BURDEN IN MAKUENI, WOMEN CARRY THE CAREGIVING LOAD

A new study by the Department of Health Services and the ARUA Centre of Excellence for Non-Communicable Diseases at the University of Nairobi has revealed statistics on the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and caregiving in Makueni County.

According to the research, which was conducted among a study sample size of 155 caregivers, they reported the majority of the recepients of care suffered from comorbidity (more than one non-communicable disease). Majority of the recipients of care were diagnosed with hypertension (74.1%), followed by diabetes at 37.8%, chronic respiratory diseases at 8.4%, cancer at 6.3%, and other cardiovascular diseases at 3.5%.

_NB: These are proportions from a small study sample._

The findings also highlight the disproportionate burden of caregiving, with 69% of caregivers being women compared to 31% men.

Among care recipients, women account for 65%, while only 1% of caregivers receive payment, leaving 99% unpaid.

Speaking during the dissemination meeting on Thursday at the Mother and Child Hospital, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili cautioned against leaving children with caregiving responsibilities, terming it a violation of their right to education.

She reaffirmed the county’s commitment to work with the national government once the proposed national NCD caregiver policy is developed, to ease the pressure on caregivers already stretched to their limits.

Health CECM Joyce Mutua urged political leaders to embrace the study’s findings and use their platforms to advocate for reducing the rising NCD prevalence.

On his part, Professor Charles Nzioka of the University of Nairobi noted that the ultimate goal is to develop a national NCD policy that recognizes, reduces, and redistributes the burden of care work on women and girls, thereby promoting gender equity and improving their well-being.